The Center for Environmental Farming Systems is a partnership of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and North Carolina State University.

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Our first video, from the Pasture-Based Dairy Unit, illustrates how milk is fed to roughly 20 calves at a time using a trough.

This short video from the Center for Environmental Farming Systems illustrates how milk is fed to roughly 20 calves at a time using a trough. Just over one gallon of milk is allocated to each calf for their once-daily feeding. A calf starter grain ration and usually either pasture or hay are available to the calves as well.

The calves include pure Holsteins, pure Jerseys, and various percentage crosses ranging from 75% Holstein to 75% Jersey. Calves are grouped at about 1 to 2 weeks of age after they learn to drink readily out of a bucket. We try to keep ages and sizes together but Holstein calves are bigger. However, the smaller Jersey and crossbred calves are fairly aggressive and usually get their share.

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CEFS Partnership

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems is a partnership of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and North Carolina State University. CEFS develops and promotes just and equitable food and farming systems that conserve natural resources, strengthen communities, improve health outcomes, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond.